How to Time Body Contouring Surgery After Weight Loss

Submitted by Dr. Joyesh Raj on Sat 11/24/2018 - 09:00

Significant weight loss can be an achievement worthy of celebration. But while it can provide greater freedom of movement and more energy, it may also entail dealing with excess skin. In the blog post below, Dr. Joyesh Raj discusses how to time body contouring surgery after significant weight loss.

Are You in Good Health?  

There are several factors that can contribute to sudden and/or significant weight loss. It’s important that you are in good health before you consider proceeding to a body contouring surgery. Below are some questions your plastic surgeon may ask you, to determine whether or not you are a good candidate for body contouring:

• Are you able to maintain a stable weight? Both bariatric surgery and a combination of diet and exercise can produce dramatic weight loss results. However, you will need to prove you can maintain a stable, long-term weight before undergoing body contouring surgery.
• Are you still adjusting to a new diet? Like a stable weight, a stable diet is necessary before your body can undergo another procedure.
• Do you have realistic goals? Good health is a combination of physical and mental stability, so your doctor will want to make sure your goals for body contouring align with what is realistically possible.

Time to Heal

Before you commit to undergoing surgery, make sure you have enough time to properly heal. Everyone recovers differently, and your doctor will be able to help you determine the appropriate timeline for your healing process. You will likely have to take a few days off from work to rest and care for the surgical sites, and you may not be able to engage in heavy lifting or sports for several weeks. Be sure to communicate clearly with your doctor, so your lifestyle activities can be factored into your recovery time.

Seasonal Timing

If you are in good health and exhibiting a stable weight, the last factors you may want to consider are seasonal obligations. If you want to be fully healed by beach season, consider an early spring or late winter surgery. If you have family and travel obligations over the holiday season, perhaps a late summer or early fall procedure will work best for you.

Talk to a board certified plastic surgeon to find the best time for body contouring after weight loss. To schedule a consultation with Dr. Joyesh Raj, call (440) 808-8030.